ES2396090B1 - LIQUID COLLECTOR - Google Patents

Abstract

Liquid collector comprising a first layer (1) and a third layer (3) each comprising a set of holes (6?) And (6 ??) respectively; a second layer (2), located above the first layer (1) and below the third layer (3). Where said second layer (2) comprises a vacuum tube (7) and a material with a structural consistency that allows to generate and maintain a uniform area of liquid collection vacuum at all times. A fourth layer (4), located immediately superior to the third layer (3), comprises a capillary absorbent material. # Through the vacuum tube (7), comprised in the second layer (2), evacuation of the liquid from the first layer (1) and the third layer (3), where said third layer (3) reaches the liquid after being absorbed by the fourth layer (4) and evenly distributed on said fourth layer (4 ), by the capillary absorbent material.

Description

The present invention relates to a liquid collector,

5 preferably surgical liquid, multilayer structure, and whose design and configuration allows to efficiently and quietly absorb the liquid that falls to the ground, also allowing the movement of people on it, without the absorbed liquid spreads out of the collector.

Background of the invention and technical problems to be solved

10 In surgical operations, especially in endoscopic processes in which a lot of serum is used, a large part of the liquids used in the operation end up in the soil mixed with the patient's blood, being necessary, therefore, once the operation is finished, the collection of said liquid, and the subsequent scrubbing and disinfection of the operating room floor.

15 Said collection and cleaning takes a lot of time, so systems have been devised to try to solve the problem from the root, such as the use of soaps or bags, which minimize the content of the fluid that falls to the ground while carrying performed the surgical operation, but they are not entirely effective in eliminating the spillage of fluid by the

20 floor.

On the other hand, there are different systems for collecting and evacuating liquid after falling to the ground. WO 2008 153 545 A1, EP 0 547 496 B1 and EP 1 474 060 A1, show a flat structure with an absorbent top layer and a receiving area for the liquid in the part

25 lower thereof. In said receiving area is a suction tube, which is responsible for evacuating the collected liquid.

The problem with these systems is that their configuration and design do not provide an effective collection of the liquid, being also noisy due to the absorption, in addition to the liquids, of air through the

30 suction tube.

Many of these systems also have the problem or inconvenience of not being able to be stepped on by the people who are working in the operating room, since in the case of stepping on, the liquid absorbed by these systems would spread again on the ground, as happens when you step on

35 a soaked sponge.

Description of the invention

In order to achieve the objectives and avoid the drawbacks mentioned in the previous sections, the invention proposes a liquid collector of multilayer structure, which has the set of layers joined by high-frequency heat welding at its periphery.

This collector essentially focuses on the elimination of noise by the suction system, facilitating the concentration of people who perform work in an environment close to the collector; and in providing the possibility of stepping on said collector, significantly improving the mobility of people who are close to the collector, object of the invention.

The liquid collector, of multilayer structure, comprises a first layer, which in turn comprises a set of holes, and a third layer, which comprises another set of holes. It also comprises a second layer, located above the first layer and below the third layer, wherein said second layer comprises a vacuum tube and a material with a structural consistency. This material allows to generate and maintain a uniform area of liquid collection vacuum at all times. It also comprises a fourth layer, located immediately above the third layer, wherein said fourth layer comprises a capillary absorbent material.

A feature of the invention is that by means of the vacuum tube of the second layer, which connects with an aspiration system for the extraction of the liquid by aspiration, the evacuation of the liquid from the first layer and the third layer is carried out. This first layer receives the liquid directly from the ground, while in the case of said third layer, the liquid arrives after being absorbed by the fourth layer and evenly distributed over said fourth layer, by the capillary absorbing material.

Another characteristic of the collector object of the invention is the possibility of including a fifth layer, immediately superior to the fourth layer, of a non-woven absorbent material, selected from cellulose, polypropylene, combination of cellulose and polypropylene, silk screen printed hydrophilic polyethylene wool, Polyester or Polyethylene This fifth layer is capable of absorbing and transmitting to the fourth layer any amount of fluids that falls without retaining them, thus avoiding splashing and pooling on the feet of the people above. It also prevents the tearing of the fourth layer due to the rubbing of the footwear of the people who work on the fluid collector.

This layer removes by not absorbing the liquid prevents the liquid collector acquires a weight that would make it difficult to dispose of it in a simple and hygienic way. But it retains the fluids the time necessary for the rest of the layers to evacuate them by capillarity and vacuum according to their different functions.

Another feature of the invention is that the set of holes of the first layer and the set of holes of the third layer can be found blinded, and if so, it is a water-soluble material, such as polyvinyl alcohol.

The first layer comprises at least one hole near each of its corners and at least one hole in the central area of such a first layer that generates a windy effect that allows the first layer to adhere to the ground.

While the set of holes of the third layer, are arranged symmetrically throughout its surface and contains a number of holes greater than the number of holes contained in the first layer.

The first layer comprises a material selected from PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) or polyurethane or polyethylene; the second layer comprises a mesh fabric that is simply selected from a burlap made of polyethylene or polypropylene multifilament; The third layer comprises a PVC (polyvinyl chloride) or polyurethane or polyethylene material; while the fourth layer and the fifth layer comprise a viscous sheet of a material selected from cellulose, polypropylene, combination of cellulose and polypropylene, silk screen printed hydrophilic polyethylene wool, polyester or polyethylene.

Description of the drawings

The invention is complemented, for an easy understanding of the description that is being made, with a set of drawings where, for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, the following has been represented:

-

Figure 1 represents a sectional view of the liquid manifold,

object of the invention, essentially shows the distribution of

different layers of the liquid manifold, which comprises a tube of

empty, according to one of the embodiments.

-

Figure 2 shows a plan view of a first layer of the

manifold.

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Figure 3 shows a plan view of a second layer,

including a detail view and a view according to section A-A of the

detail view.

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Figure 4 shows a plan view of a third layer of the collector.

Below is a list of the different elements represented in the figures that make up the invention:

1 = First layer

2 = Second layer

3 = Third layer

4 = Fourth layer

5 = Fifth layer

6´ = Hole of the first layer (1)

6´´ = Hole of the third layer (3)

7 = Vacuum tube

8 = Welding

9 = Ground

Detailed description of the preferred invention

As already indicated, and as can be seen in Figure 1, the liquid collector of the invention is determined from the superposition of a set of layers, which are joined by a high-temperature weld (8) frequency at its periphery, comprising a total thickness of between 5 and 50 mm.

In the upper part of the collector, there is a fifth layer (5), which is the layer immediately above a fourth layer (4), while this fourth layer (4) is the layer immediately above a third layer ( 3) and so on until you reach a first layer (1). In a second layer (2) the location of a vacuum tube (7) is visible, which, connected to an operating room suction system, will be responsible for generating the vacuum and at the same time absorbing the liquid.

This first layer (1) of PVC or polyurethane or polyethylene, which is shown in Figure 2, is the one in contact with a floor (9). This first layer (1) comprises a set of holes (6 ’) that are blinded by a water-soluble material to avoid absorbing air instead of liquid. In this way, the noisy phase is eliminated at the beginning of surgical operations, especially in endoscopic processes in which a large amount of serum is used. This happens because the aspiration process will not begin until said holes (6 ') have been opened by contact with the liquid, mainly serum but also blood, and since subsequently the flow of liquid that comes into contact with the collector, object of the invention, and therefore absorbed by it, is so high as to generate a continuous passage through the holes (6 ').

The set of holes (6 ’) of the first layer (1), is distributed comprising at least one hole (6’) near each of its corners and at least one hole (6 ’) in the central area. These holes (6 ’) have two functions, on the one hand the one corresponding to the absorption of soil fluids

(9) of the operating room, and on the other hand generate a windy effect that allows said first layer (1) to adhere to the floor (9) in the event that liquid is not passing through the holes (6 ’). Even so, the first layer (1) comprises a non-slip material, which helps this layer (1) to remain fixed at one point, thus preventing personnel traveling on the collector of this invention from slipping.

For its part, the third layer (3) of PVC or polyurethane or polyethylene, shown in Figure 4, also has a set of holes (6 ’). These holes (6 '') are of a diameter similar to the holes (6 ') of the first layer (1), but instead, are given in greater numbers and following a symmetry over the entire third layer (3) . The function of this set of holes (6 ''), is restricted to allow the passage of liquid once the water-soluble material with which they are blinded has dissolved, as with the holes (6 ') of the first layer (1). The liquid comes down this time, from the top of the invention.

In figure 3 the second layer (2) is shown in greater detail. This layer (2) fulfills the function of generating a uniform vacuum zone that allows the collection of liquid, preventing collapse by vacuum, that is, preventing the first layer (1) and the third layer (3) from joining together. they are the layers with which it is in contact, when vacuum aspiration occurs.

To avoid the aforementioned vacuum collapse, the second layer (2) is a burlap layer made of polyethylene, or polypropylene multifilament mesh, which, apart from allowing to always keep a hollow inside, allows the collector, object of the invention, to be stepped on without risk of losing efficiency in liquid aspiration even at points away from the vacuum intake. Said vacuum intake consisting of the insertion of at least one vacuum tube (7) in this second layer (2).

The fourth layer (4) is a viscous sheet of polypropylene and wool of hydrophilic polyethylene absorbed by capillarity. This layer (4) is responsible for extending along said layer (4) the liquid that reaches it, thereby improving the efficiency of the aspiration of the invention.

The fifth layer (5) is a sheet of serigraphized high density hydrophilic polyethylene wool, whose mission is to avoid splashing at the feet of

5 persons who are on the collector of this invention, or in its vicinity, when stepped on the fifth layer (5). Said layer (5) has a great absorption power without the need for the vacuum system to be in operation thus preventing the pooling of said collector.

Once the nature of the invention has been described, the

10 opportune effects, that it is not limited to the exact details of this exhibition, but on the contrary, it will introduce the modifications that are considered appropriate, provided that the essential characteristics thereof are not altered.

Claims (15)

 Claims 1.-Liquid collector, comprising a multilayer structure, characterized by comprising:

-

a first layer (1) comprising a set of holes (6 ’) and a third layer (3) comprising another set of holes (6’);

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a second layer (2), located above the first layer (1) and below the third layer (3), wherein said second layer (2) comprises a vacuum tube (7) and a material with a structural consistency that allows generate and maintain a uniform area of liquid collection vacuum at all times; Y,

-

a fourth layer (4), located immediately superior to the third layer (3), wherein said fourth layer (4) comprises a capillary absorbent material,

such that, through the vacuum tube (7), comprised in the second layer (2), the evacuation of the liquid from the first layer (1) and the third layer (3) is carried out, where to said third layer (3) the liquid arrives after being absorbed by the fourth layer (4) and evenly distributed on said fourth layer (4), by the capillary absorbent material. 2. Liquid collector according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises: a fifth layer (5), immediately superior to the fourth layer (4), comprising a nonwoven absorbent material selected from cellulose, polypropylene, combination of Cellulose and polypropylene, silk screen printed hydrophilic polyethylene, polyester or polyethylene. 3. Liquid collector according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the vacuum tube (7) connects with a suction system for the extraction of liquid by aspiration. 4. Liquid collector according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the set of holes (6 ') of the first layer (1) and the set of holes (6' ') of the third layer (3) are They are blinded by a water-soluble material. 5. Liquid collector according to claim 4, characterized in that the water-soluble material, the set of holes (6 ') of the first layer (1) and the set of holes (6' ') of the third layer (3 ), is polyvinyl alcohol. 6. Liquid collector, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the third layer (3) contains a number of holes (6 '') greater than the number of holes (6 ') that contains the first layer (1 ). 7. Liquid collector, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first layer (1) comprises at least one hole (6 ') close to each of its corners and at least one hole (6') in the central zone of such first layer (1). 8. Liquid collector according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the holes (6 ’) of the third layer (3) are arranged symmetrically throughout its surface. 9.-Liquid collector according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the whole of the layers are joined by high-frequency heat welding at its periphery. 10. Liquid collector according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the set of layers comprises a total thickness of between 5 and 50 mm. 11.-Liquid collector according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first layer (1) comprises a material selected from PVC or polyurethane or polyethylene. 12. Liquid collector according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the second layer (2) comprises a mesh fabric is enough selected from a burlap of polyethylene warp or polypropylene multifilament. 13.-Liquid collector according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the third layer (3) comprises a material selected from PVC or polyurethane or polyethylene. 14. Liquid collector according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the fourth layer (4) comprises a viscous sheet of a material selected from cellulose, polypropylene, combination of cellulose and polypropylene, silk screen printed hydrophilic polyethylene wool, polyester or polyethylene. SPANISH OFFICE OF THE PATENTS AND BRAND Application no .: 201131300 SPAIN Date of submission of the application: 28.07.2011 Priority Date: REPORT ON THE STATE OF THE TECHNIQUE 51 Int. Cl.: A61M1 / 00 (2006.01) RELEVANT DOCUMENTS

Category

56 Documents cited Claims Affected

X

US 2006/0015080 A1 (MAHNENSMITH) 19.01.2006, Summary, paragraphs 1, 17, 20-24 and figures 1-3. 1, 3, 6-9

TO

US 2005/0133092 A1 (ROBINSON) 06.23.2005, Entire document. 1-14

 TO

WO 2007/030103 A1 (PROMETHEAN MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES) 03.15.2007., Entire document. 1-14

TO

US 7131965 B1 (THORNBURY ET AL.) 07.11.2006. Whole document. 1-14

TO

EP 0547496 A1 (KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION) 23.06.1993, Summary, page 3, column 4, lines 36-58, page 4, column 5, lines 1-5, 34-37, 48-58, page 4, column 6 , lines 1-11, 16-20, page 5, column 7, lines 46-52 and claims 1, 3 and 14. 1-14

TO

US 5176667 A (DEBRING) 05.01.1993, Summary, page 4 and 5. 1-14

Category of the documents cited X: of particular relevance Y: of particular relevance combined with other / s of the same category A: reflects the state of the art O: refers to unwritten disclosure P: published between the priority date and the date of priority submission of the application E: previous document, but published after the date of submission of the application

This report has been prepared • for all claims • for claims no:

Date of realization of the report 28.11.2012

Examiner M. J. García Bueno Page 1/5

REPORT OF THE STATE OF THE TECHNIQUE Application number: 201131300 Minimum documentation searched (classification system followed by classification symbols) A61M Electronic databases consulted during the search (name of the database and, if possible, terms of search used) INVENES, EPODOC, WPI, NPL State of the Art Report Page 2/5  WRITTEN OPINION Application number: 201131300 Date of Written Opinion: 28.11.2012 Statement

Novelty (Art. 6.1 LP 11/1986)

Claims Claims 2, 4-5, 10-14 1, 3, 6-9 IF NOT

Inventive activity (Art. 8.1 LP11 / 1986)

Claims Claims 2, 4-5, 10-14 1, 3, 6-9 IF NOT

The application is considered to comply with the industrial application requirement. This requirement was evaluated during the formal and technical examination phase of the application (Article 31.2 Law 11/1986).  Opinion Base.- This opinion has been made on the basis of the patent application as published. State of the Art Report Page 3/5  WRITTEN OPINION Application number: 201131300 1. Documents considered.- The documents belonging to the state of the art taken into consideration for the realization of this opinion are listed below.

Document

Publication or Identification Number publication date

D01

US 2006/0015080 A1 (MAHNENSMITH) 01/19/2006

D02

US 2005/0133092 A1 (ROBINSON) 06/23/2005

D03

WO 2007/030103 A1 (PROMETHEAN MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES) 03.15.2007

D04

US 7131965 B1 (THORNBURY et al.) 07.11.2006

D05

EP 0547496 A1 (KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION) 23.06.1993

D06

US 5176667 A (DEBRING) 05.01.1993

2. Statement motivated according to articles 29.6 and 29.7 of the Regulations for the execution of Law 11/1986, of March 20, on Patents on novelty and inventive activity; quotes and explanations in support of this statement The present application for invention consists of a liquid collector of multilayer structure comprising a first and third layer with holes, a second layer of structural consistency material with a vacuum tube connected to a suction system and a fourth layer of capillary absorbent material (claims 1-14). Document D01 consists of a flexible liquid collector. Document D02 consists of a liquid collecting system comprising an island with a central collection container of fluid with a splash pad during the filling of said container (see the whole document). Document D03 consists of a liquid collection system during surgical processes comprising a container with a folded inclined floor that directs the fluid to a lower collection area (see the whole document). Document D04 consists of a liquid collector system during a surgical process consisting of a Shallow container comprising a liquid collecting tube attached to a suction system and a porous mat which is placed on top of the container that allows the surgeon to step on the collecting system (see the whole document). Document D05 consists of a fluid evacuation system in surgical processes consisting of a pad connected to a vacuum system. Said pad is formed by a permeable top layer of a hydrophobic material such as polypropylene, and a waterproof bottom layer of a plastic material, both sealed by borders (see summary, page 3, column 4, lines 36-58, page 4, column 5, lines 1-5, 34-37, 48-58, page 4, column 6, lines 1-11, 16-20, page 5, column 7, lines 46-52 and claims 1, 3 and 14). Document D06 consists of a fluid collection apparatus comprising a cushion, a pump and a reservoir of pick up Said cushion is composed of a non-absorbent pad, covered by a sheet of flexible material (see summary, pages 4 and 5). None of the documents D02-D06 cited, or any relevant combination thereof reveals a liquid collector in multilayer structure formed by four layers, the first and third of them with a set of holes and the intermediate layer between both with a vacuum tube. Therefore, documents D02-D06 are only documents that reflect the state of the art. 1.-NEW (Art. 6.1 Law 11/1986) AND INVENTIVE ACTIVITY (Art. 8.1 Law 11/1986). 1.1.-Claims 1, 3, 6-9. Document D01 is considered the closest to the state of the art for the purpose of claims 1, 3 and 6-9 and discloses a multilayer structure liquid collector comprising 4 layers. The first and third comprise a set of holes, the second layer comprises a vacuum tube that connects to a suction system, and the fourth layer, which is the outermost comprises an absorbent material. The first layer comprises a hole near its corners and a hole near its central area. The third layer It comprises a greater number of holes than the first layer and these are arranged symmetrically throughout the surface. Document D01 also discloses the joining of the layers by heat welding (see summary, paragraphs 1, 17, 20-24 and Figures 1-3). State of the Art Report Page 4/5  WRITTEN OPINION Application number: 201131300 The characteristics of claims 1, 3 and 6-9 are already known from document D01. Therefore those claims they are not new nor do they imply inventive activity in view of the state of the art known according to articles 6.1 and 8.1 Law 11/1986. 1.2.-Claims 2, 4-5, 10-14. Claims 2, 4-5, 10-14 are considered new and involve inventive activity within the meaning of articles 6.1 and 8.1 Law 11/1986. State of the Art Report Page 5/5